ROTI is pleased to honour Art McCullough of the Rotary Club of Escondido Sunrise, California as ROTIan of the Year for 2009-10.

ROTI members lead the way in showing the rest of Rotary how the Internet has increased the speed and efficiency of communication to other Rotarians, so that programs which will alleviate hunger, illiteracy, disease and hopelessness are now being expedited to the advantage of all.

Each year the almost 2,000 member-strong Fellowship, Rotarians on the Internet, selects from amongst its members one Rotarian who exemplifies the ideals of the Fellowship. This Rotarian is designated "ROTIan of the Year."

This year?s recipient is a Past Chairman of our Fellowship. He is a tireless champion of ROTI and a wise advisor to all of us. When one thinks of ROTI, one often thinks of Art McCullough.

Art was one of the founding members of ROTI, joined Round table in 1957 and was Chairman in 1970.

The 1986 Las Vegas convention was a turning point in Art?s Rotary life. He had lunch with a Rotarian named James Lacy at the convention. Afterward he heard Cliff Dochterman give a speech about a 3-H program he had started. Art got so excited he went right away and got the first of his many PHF?s. The following year as a 4th year Rotarian, Art was elected President of the Escondido Sunrise Rotary club.

Art was active in the Boy Scouts growing up in California. He and his father became Eagle Scouts at the same time. After high school he became a cosmetologist and worked in the profession until he was drafted into the US Army in 1958. He was lucky enough to be stationed in the beautiful area of Vincenza, Italy during his stint in the army and was able to visit all of the major countries in Europe.

After serving his time in the army, Art returned to California and went back to work. Soon he was able to open his own shop and work part time in a laboratory that later became a major power in the cosmetic world. The owner became Art's lifelong friend and mentor. Art has invented a number of tools and holds patents for machines that analyze hair. He has given close to a thousand lectures on hair analysis and even worked with the FBI, teaching them how to analyze hair. Art was later involved with the screening of children for reading difficulties caused by the Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (known as Dyslexia in England and Europe.)

Art and his wife, Averill (also a ROTI member) have just rebuilt their house in Escondido after being burned out in the Santa Ana fires of 2007.

But we know Art as one of the hardest working ROTIans in the world. He is always ready to take on a new challenge. He has held most of the offices in the Escondido Sunrise Rotary club including president, and helps out with the district bulletin. Members of ROTI should consider themselves lucky to have Art McCullough as a board member and friend.

Thank you, Art, for your services to ROTI.

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